Automatic flushing-valve.



No. 756,291. PATENTED APR. 5, 1904. I'. A. SGHOSSOW.

AUTOMATIC PLUSHING VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED 116.31, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

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.fl VA www i5/dm.. mw foreeys Patented April 5, 1904;

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK A. SCHOSSOW, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

AUTOMATIC FLUSHlNG-VALVE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 756,291, dated April 5,1904.

Application iiled August 31, 1903. Serial No. 171,337l (No modell) T0all wtmn t 17mg/ concern.-

Be it known that LEREDERICK A. Scnossow, a citizen of the United States,residing at Detroit, county of IVayne, State of Michigan, have inventeda certain new and useful Improvement in Automatic Flushing Valves; and Ideclare the following to be a full, clear, and eXact description of the`invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itpertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in automatic flushing-valves forwater-closets, shown in the accompanying drawings and more particularlyset forth in the following specification and claims.

The drawing is a central vertical sectional view of the valve, showingit closed against the passage of water from the main.

One feature of my invention is the automatic means employed forregulating the volume of water admitted to the bowl after the valve isopened which controls the admission of water for flushing the bowl.

Another feature is the means for regulating the same.

Another feature is the valve employed to temporarily release thepressure of the water back of the main valve. The construction of thisvalve is such that even though the lever employed to operate it may beheld open the valve will close automatically. Other improvements willhereinafter appear.

Referring to the letters of reference shown in the drawing, A is thevalve-body, A is the water-inlet from the main, and A2 thedischarge-opening.

B is the valve controlling the admission of water from the main,provided with an annular perforated sleeve B. Rising from the valve Band preferably integral therewith is the hollow stem B2, to which isengaged the piston B3, provided with suitable packing and travelingwithin the cylindrical portion A3 of the valve-casing. Mounted on thepiston is the chamber C, provided with a cap C, having -a screw-threadedengagement therewith.

c is a passage through the piston B3 and valve B and opening into thechamber C.

` D is a duplex weighted valve, the lower valve d (which may becone-shaped, if desired) closing' the passage c through the piston, theupper valve 0l closing the orifice through the cap c. The valve CZ has ascrewthreaded engagement with the stem ci 2 for the purpose ofregulating the travel of the valve. Coiled around the valve-stem'between the valves is a leaded weight cl3. Lead or other washers may beadded or substituted, if desired, or a spring used either in conjunctionwith or separately from the weights.

E is a cap closing the upper end of the cylindrical portion A3.

F is a regulating-screw projecting through the cap E, controlling thetravel of the main valve B and its connecting parts.

e is a stuiiing-box on the cap E to insure Water-tight connection withthe regulating-- screw E.

A4 is a by-pass leading from the cylindrical portion A3 to the chamberA5, in which is located the valve G, controlling the discharge of waterfrom the back of or above the piston B3.

G' is a winged guide traveling in the orifice through the valve-seat andprovided with a central opening g.

G2 is a cylindrical chamber rising from the valve G proper,preferablyintegral therewith, and having at the top an orifice g.

H is a piston housed within the chamber G2 and provided with projectingstems t t, pointing in opposite directions.

I is a cap having a screw-threaded engagement with the valve-body A andmounted directly above the valve G and into which the chamber G2projects.

J is a spring to hold the valve G closed normally.

K is a rocking arm pivoted in the valvebody, its forward end bearingagainst the end of the stem L.

7c is a back-stop on the rocking arm K to limit its movement whenbrought into contact with the wall ofthe valve-body.

L is an operating-lever, shown in dotted lines, for actuating therocking arm.K.

The operation of the invention will now be described. The valve B isnormally held to IOO its seat against the water-pressure in the main bythe water in the chamber A3 above the piston, the cylinder being largerin diameter than the water-inlet. The water above the piston also fillsthe by-pass A2, chamber A5, and the chamber G2 of the valve G. To iiushthe closet, the lever L is operated, which causes the arm K to lift thestem 7L' with its piston, the chamber G2 being illed with water, thepressure of the arm K on the end of the stem /L lifting the valve G fromits seat, owing` to the chamber being i'illed with water, as beforeexplained, thereby permitting the water back of the piston B3 to passout byv the bypass A4 and discharge-orifice A2. By opening the valve Gthe water-pressure back of the piston B3 holding the main valve to itsseat is released. The water-pressure from the supply then acts uponthe-main valve B2 and forces it up until the cap C strikes theregulatingscrew F, the orifices in the cylindrical portion B risingabove the wall forming the passage to the discharge-opening A2,l whenthe water passes out through the opening A2 to iiush the closet.

I will now explain the action that takes place when the water-pressureback of the piston B3 is relieved by the raising of the valve G. Themoment the pressure is relieved back of the piston the water pressureforces the weighted valves D upward, the valve d closing the oriiicethrough the cap C', the end of the stem Z2 projecting above the cap.While this movement is taking place the piston B3, with the chamber C,is also moving upward more slowly than the valves D, the speed graduallydiminishing as the orifices in the cylindrical portion B rise above thewall of the body forming the passage to the dischargeopening, whichreduces the pressure against the under side of the valve B. As thechamber C travels upward the valve-stem comes in contact with theregulating-screw F, which is adjusted to meet varying requirements. Thisforces the valve Z downward to its seat, closing the oriiice c. Now ifthe operating-lever L has been released the valve G will immediatelyclose, due to the action of the spring J; but if it is held or proppedopen by an inexperienced person or by malicious intent the valve G willgradually come to its seat as the water in the chamber G2 passes outthrough the oriiice g', due to the action of the spring J forcing thevalve G down the stem 71, to the valve-seat, the action in this casebeing a trifle slower. In either event as soon as the releasing-valvecloses the pressure of water'is exerted against the piston H, whichforces it to limit of its movement, unless the handle is held orotherwise detained from assuming its natural position.

In the event of the water being expelled from the chamber G2 on accountof the operator not releasing the handle L previous to the release-valveG reaching its seat no further manipulation of the handle can prolong'the main flush, as this in passing to the bowl forms a back pressure,which in conjunction with the Jfriction of the piston H against thesides ofl-the chamber retains the. piston H in an elevated positionuntil the cessation of the main Hush, and therefore pressure is exertedon the piston H upon the upper face only. It will be readily understoodthat the rocking arm K having forced the Valve from its seat, due to theaction of the piston working against the pressure of the water in thechamber G2, the handle L will not again become operative until the valveG has reached its seat and the pressure of the water from above forcedthe piston down to its initial position, as shown in the drawing. I

As the winged guide Gl is not permitted by reason of its length to comein contact with the rocking arm K, it will readily be seen thatcontinued manipulation of the handle L does not vaffect the closing ofthe valve G or the main valve B; nor can the flow of water by means ofmanipulating the handle in any manner be made constant.

The main valve B is preferably permitted to travel upward to a pointwhere the passage of water through the perforations in the sleeve B/ isslightly retarded, or it may be permitted to rise fully by regulatingthe set-screw F. As soon as the release-valve G has reached its seat thewater-pressure tends to close the main valve B; but the first portion ofthis descent is made comparatively slow, because the pressure is at theminimum point and the weights allow thewater to pass the valve OZ butvery slowly. a certain predetermined distance, preferably aboutone-fifth of its entire travel, the pressure of the water becomessufficient to unseat the valve CZ, allowing the water to pass it freely,and this action causes the stem Z2 to strike the regulating-screw F. Thevalves and d are at this point, therefore, inoperative and open. Thewater now having free access to the back of the piston B3 causes same todescend rapidly and also continues to force the valvestem Z2 upwardagainst the regulating-screw F, and this rapid descent continues untilthe valve d arrives at the orifice through the cap C', when the mainvalve B is found to have arrived. at a point where the ports in thesleeve B are closed, and almost the entire pressure is directed towardclosing the valve lB, as the amount of water now/flowing into the bowlis diminished to that which passes between that portion of the sleeve Babove the ports and the valve-body A, as the sleeve is preferably of adiameter that will render the water thus passing of insuflicientquantity to produce or maintain a siphon in the bowl under anycircumstances. The pressure having forced the valve cZ/ to its seat, asdescribed, the water filters slowly by said valve and the main valvecontinues to descend until it nally When the valve B has descended to .l

`.fill in many cases.

seats, when the pressure becomes equalized on the upper side of thepiston B3 with that of the supply, when the valve D drops to the initialposition shown in the drawing. rIhe amount of time that is allowed toelapse between the termination of the main flush and the arrival of thevalve d' at its seat determines the quantity of water that will composethe refilL and this may be varied by adjusting the valve rl' at thedesired altitude on the valve-stem (Z2.

- The quantity of water constituting the main flush may be varied eitherby varying' the weight (Z3 or by varying the relative altitude of theregulating-screw F, thereby varying the amount of pressure retained as acounterbalance to the weights.

Considerable diliiculty has heretofore re-` sulted in the practical useof these valves by reason of the fact that in their construction therelative amount of initial flush and refill has been fixed andinvariable,and as the amount of water indispensable to constitute a sealagainst sewer-gases varies greatly in different constructions of bowlsit has been found necessary to use more water than is necessary to iiushthe bowl in order to obtain sufficient re- Similarly in those valveswhere the water is gradually diminished the supply may be sufficientwhile the valve is full open, but the flow may be insufficient toproduce a continuous siphon, and a series of siphonings result, the`final one sometimes carrying with it the water intended to be used as aseal.

In my construction the initial closing of the valve is so slow as not tomaterially aifect the water passing the ports, and the subsequentstoppage of the main Hush is sufficiently rapid to immediately break theSiphon in the bowl under any pressure of water, while the refillobtainable is in excess of that required to till any standard form ofbowl.

Either the main flush or the subsequent reiill may be varied withoutaffecting the other, making the adjustment of the valve a simple matter.

It is well known that a feature that has obtained as a very serioushindrance to the successful use of these valves is the fact that for-.

eign particles have operated to destroy the functions of the regulatingmechanism, causing the valve in many cases to remain open on beingoperated, thereby wasting the water and destroying the function of thevalve entirely. In my construction this feature is obliterated, becauseany foreign particles that may enter the passage c are either preventedfrom passing upward by the stem within the passage or if the particlessuihciently minute arrive at the valve 6l' they are washed away when thevalve rises and readily pass out at the orifice in the cap C', as saidorifice is made of a diameter to have a larger space between the stemand walls of the orifice than the lower valve-stem.

As the valves (Z and d are opened and closed twice during each operationof the main valve, it will readily be seen that these operations servethe purpose of rendering them practically self-cleansing,

What I claim is* l. In a fiushing-valve, a water-chamber, a piston-valvecontrolling the source of supply provided with a channel for the passageof water through the piston-valve into the waterchamber,automatically-operated valves controlling said channel alternatelygoverning the flush and refill, and a suitable manually-operatedreleasing-valve to liberate the water from above the piston,substantially as described.

2. In a iiushing-valve, a valve controlling the sourceof supply, awater-chamber, a piston connected with the valve controlling the sourceof supply and traveling'in the waterchamber, a chamber mounted on thepiston and reciprocating therewith, a channel for the passage of waterthrough the valve and piston into the chamber reciprocating with thepiston and through itinto the water-chamber in which it travels,automatically-operated valves located within the reciprocating chambercontrolling the passage of water through the same and a suitablemanually-operated releasing-valve to liberate the water from above thepiston, substantially as described.

3. In a usl'iing-valve, a valve controlling the source of supply, awater-chamber, a piston traveling in said water-chamber and connectedwith the valve controlling' the source of supply, a chamberreciprocating with the piston and connected thereto by a channel leadingthrough the valve and piston into and through the reciprocating chamber,valves located within the reciprocating chamber to control the passageof water through the same, said valves provided with a stem capable ofprojecting outside of the reciprocating' chamber, and means foroperating said valves by the stem coming in contact with the same as thechamber reciprocates, substantially as described.

1l. In a flushing-valve, a water-chamber, a piston traveling within thewater-chamber connected with a valve controlling the source of supply, achamber reciprocating with the piston and connected thereto by a channelleading through the valve and piston into land through the reciprocatingchamber, valves governing the passage of water into and through saidchamber, a projecting valvestem by which one of said valves is forcedolf and the other to its seat as the chamber in reciprocating brings thestem in contact with the means for tripping the same, and the adjustablemeans for controlling and tripping the valves, substantially asdescribed.

Ioo

IIO

5. In a flushing-valve, a water-chamber, a piston traveling in saidchamber connected with a valve controlling the source of supply, achamber reciprocatingwith the piston and connected therewith, a channelleading through the valve and piston and into and through saidreciprocating chamber, weighted valves governing the passage of waterinto and through said chamber,.a projecting valve-stem for controllingsaid valves by means outside of but acting in conjunction with thereciprocating chamber, one of said valves being adjustable on said stem,and a stop to operate said valvestem when the stem is brought in contactwith the same by the reciprocation of the chamber, substantially asdescribed.

6. In a flushing-valve, a water-chamber, a piston traveling in saidchamber connected with avalve controlling the source of supply, achamber reciprocating with the piston and connected therewith, a channelleading through the valve and piston and into and through saidreciprocating chamber, weighted valves governing the passage of waterinto and through said chamber, a projecting valve-stem for controllingthe valves by means outside of but acting in conjunction with thereciprocating chamber, one of said Valves being adjustable on said stem,and an adjustable stop to operate said valve-stem when the stem isbrought in contact with the same by the reciprocation of the chamber,substantially as described.

7. In a flushing-valve, a release-valve provided with a water-chamber, apiston located within said chamber and means for lifting the pistonwhereby the release-valve may be operated, substantially as described.

8. In a iiushing-valve, a water-chamber, a piston-valve controlling thesource of supply,

a release-valve provided with a water-cham.- ber, a piston locatedwithinsaid chamber'having a projecting stem, and means for engaging said stemto operate the valve, substantially as described- 9. In aflushing-valve, a water-chamber, a piston traveling in saidwater-chamber governing the valve controlling the source of supply, areleasing-valve controlling the discharge of water from thewater-chamber, a

water-chamber connected therewith, a piston located within saidwater-chamber and provided with stems projecting down through the valveand up through the water-chamber, means to force the releasing-valve toits seat, and means for lifting the piston-rod and the releasing-valvecontrolled thereby, substantially as described.

10. In a iiushing-valve, a water-chamber, a piston travel-ing in saidwater-chamber governing the valve controlling the source of supply, anautomatic-closing releasing-valve governing the discharge of water fromthe waterchamber, a by-pass leading from the waterchamber to thereleasing-valve, a water-chamber mounted on the releasing-valve, apiston located within said chamber having a stem projecting down and outthrough thevalve, means for regulating the passage of water into andfrom said chamber, means for forcing the valve to its seat, and meansfor lifting the valvestem whereby the releasingvalve is operated,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of twowitnesses.

FREDERICK A. SCHOSSOW.

Witnesses:

S. E. THOMAS, CHAs. TIMM.

